This item is from the 111th Congress (2009-2010) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.

H.R. 2159 would increase public safety by permitting the Attorney General to deny the transfer of a firearm or the issuance of firearms or explosives licenses to a known or suspected dangerous terrorist.

Detailed Summary

Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to grant the Attorney General the authority to deny the transfer of firearms or the issuance of a federal firearms and explosives license to any individual if the Attorney General: (1) determines that such individual has been engaged in or has provided material support or resources for terrorist activities; and (2) has a reasonable belief that such individual may use a firearm or explosive in connection with terrorism. Allows any individual whose firearm or explosives license application has been been denied to bring legal action challenging the denial.

Prohibits the sale or distribution of firearms or explosives to any individual whom the Attorney General has determined to be engaged in terrorist activities.

Permits the Attorney General to withhold information in firearms and explosives license denial revocation suits if the Attorney General determines that the disclosure of such information would likely compromise national security

Authorizes the Attorney General to revoke firearms and explosives licenses and permits held by individuals determined to be engaged in terrorism.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/12/2009: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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From the Blog

This holiday week’s “attempted act of terrorism” on a U.S.-bound flight reveals the difficulty of getting counterterrorism right. Terrorists use the element of surprise—stuff we haven’t thought of or timing and locations t...

Visitor Comments

NRA_Associate

This Bill denies people their constitutional rights. It imposes the restriction of constitutional rights of a person who has broken no law and has not been convicted by a Judge and Jury. This is the most repressive and Orwellian piece of legislation I have ever seen. It violates almost every ammendmant in the constitution.

Frog E

This is ridiculous! The usurper has been directing his henchman to classify every conservative as a terrorist. Veterans, Pro gun groups, anti abortion groups Etc. The true terrorist sit in their ivory towers of the house of congress.

salome

justme

Wow... this is gettin stupid. I guess we all can standby to get the lable now. With the way they are going, only those in office will be safe. Why do we allow such uneducated people to be in gov. Offices..?

hookcolumbus

pray7004

This is important, don't waste your energy with these comments, we have all got to fight this, please right and call of Congressman (believe me it does help) especailly when you tell them come their next re-election time....you will not support them....this has got to be nipped-in-the-bud.....we have got to fight for our Freedom...like our ForeFathers before us, so get busy.

Dan Brewer

This bill is the worst piece of trash that has ever been proposed by more than one Member of Congress or the Senate!

I Guess they were Never taught what a RIGHT is, or what the Constitution is although they stood up and took an Oath to defend it!

I suggest the Immediate Impeachment of everyone who wrote it co-sponsored it or that votes for it!

Just in Case they read this, A RIGHT Guarenteed under the Constitution Can not be Infringed! The ownership or possession of a firearm is a "Right", NOT A PRIVILEDGE! You regulate Priviledges, NOT RIGHTS!

And According to the DHS Anyone who owns a gun is a Terrorist to start with! Not to mention anyone who has a mind and thinks for themselves!

WAKE UP PEOPLE! THEY ARE TRYING TO IMPRISON US ALL BY RESTRICTION!

Peter Courtenay Stephens

This 71 year old grandfather, 48 year married, Army Honorable discharged Vet, Tax paying, Voting, Law abiding, Ivy league educated, Constitution Defending, Non Republican-Democrat says to Representative King of New York and his 6 co sponsors of this dishonest and completely unconstitutional bill!

Heil Hitler You Nazi Scum

Peter Courtenay Stephens

Let me explain why I think this bill has been brought at this time. Besides the fact that the powers that be in the Obama administration including the messiah himself want gun control and actual elimination form the people the timing now is because, and this is only my opinion based on a very active participation in Freedom, is that the government in Washington which has been increasingly acting as a rogue government senses that there is a very decided under tow of disgust and anger in the American people because of the criminal class behavior from Wall St to the on the take Congress and that their is an ever increasing risk of armed rebelion in this country. Many Americans realise that this Rogue government is attempting to subjugate the people and the Constitution to indentured servitude to the elites and the supporters of the governments handouts and largess. This is only my opinion and may be way off track but, I do not think so.

T. G.

Sevenfoot

Please take a moment to read and sign this petition, Citizens Against HR 2159. This is how we, The American People, use our voices to announce our disenchantment with our governments disregard for The Constitution of The United States of America.

justme

I bet they want to lable us law-abiding, rights-flexing citizens terrorists because they know THEY are the real terrorists and they want the heat off them. Like was said above, lock and load... its almost time...

justme

I bet they want to lable us law-abiding, rights-flexing citizens terrorists because they know THEY are the real terrorists and they want the heat off them. Like was said above, lock and load... its almost time...

Rex Baker

I wrote to my congressman and got a " I hear you," " I support you " and he actually said nothing. Started talking in " politicianese " I believe Mr. Stephens ( above ) is onto something. Even when the politicians have been shown to have their hands in the cookie jar, nothing happens to them. If they go to jail, very little time is served and have we ever heard officially that they have paid any money back that they took? We need a clean slate of everyone in Washington and I mean everyone.

smeg

Can't argue with that! I've been saying for a while that no one convicted of any crime (above a traffic violation) should be allowed to run for office and if they are in office and get convicted of a crime then they get replaced. Only problem is that we'd be constantly having elections for the replacements! :)

southerncross

gary

this is total bs!!! trying to use fear tactics to take away rights ... sounds like more government bs we need all new congress . and no more career polititions. 2 terms your gone!!!!! if youve been there for more that eight years then you are out ,its time to vote idiots out!!!!

Randwulf

Obviously this will keep all those Islamic types from coming in here and buying up weapons. Because, once they find out they are denied the purchase they will just give up. Right? I mean, once they know that it is against the law for them to buy a weapon, they will just go on back home and forget about it. Right? Because in order to get a gun to use to kill people in terrorist attacks, they would have to break the law by buying weapons on the black market from other criminals. And since they would know that this kind of thing is illegal, they wouldn't do it. Right? Geeezzz!!

Does Congress really think we are all THAT stupid out here? The law is designed to disarm law-abiding citizens who oppose the USURPER, not any criminal outsiders! If they pass this, there will be an insurrection, but it won't be in Iraq. Jihadists will be the last of their worries on Capitol Hill.

JKOhio

john churilla

this bill is to remove the guns from everyone this is also a bill that will help the Oboma team get controll so that when they do force marshall law there will be smaller group resitance these *ssholes know fully what there doing , but what they have going is fooling the many stupid Americans that care not to pay attention to these criminals we have running our nation. if you would go to IFOWARS.COM get caught up on whats going on in washington D.C it is not good and it happening faster then we all can follow. O boma is a f----en lier he will burn in hell for is corruption , I pray he repents and turns

NOT WORRIED

THEY CAN NOT SEE WHO IS SITTING AT YOUR PC AND TYPING IN THIS LINK AND CAN NOT PROVE IT , DO NOT FEAR THESE CROOKS THEY DO NOT HAVE AS MUCH POWER AS THEY THINK , THE END FOR THEM WILL BE TERRIBLE!!!!!!!

Joe Crupie

I signed the petition.. what a horrible bill this is. You can't take guns away from "terrorists" when you call Ron Paul supporters terrorists! What the hell, anyone that supports liberty will be deemed a terrorist!

mickey

they declared war on us when they put out the 2 reports saying that almost everyone,right and left,was the enemy. what else do you need to understand that these people are totally insane. they put everything on the fast track,and will push right to the edge

obama is a radical muslim.who's rights does he fight for? where was his first television appearance? who paid for his harvard edu? who did he bow to?

who was his first phone call to?why does he apologize for what we do? wake up america. TEXAS SAYS"BRING IT ON!!!!!!!"

JIM3888

Donald

Hey Guys, let's not panic. We're armed and alert, aren't we? I'm a vet of two wars, a gun owning member of the NRA and a patriot. Congresspeople push their parochial agendas all the time. The way to deal with this Bill and any others that we dislike is to stay hot on your Representative's butt, support the NRA and other organizations that help protect our constitutional rights, and stay alert, as you obviously are. But I'm an American, bred and born, and I disagree with those of you who advocate for revolution. Let's maintain the rule of law, even while remaining prepared. And always love our country and our Constitution. I know that my sons and grandsons in the military have sworn, as I have, to defend the Constitution of the United States and to defend this country. And I trust that they and every other patriotic military person would not follow any orders that would involve killing and imprisoning their countrymen.

sglhsgsfkggsgngj

my friend says that if we want firearms we would be considered a terrorist due to this act so we wouldn't be able to access them. then we won't be able to defend ourself against bears. oh and the american holocaust.

David W

Hell according to the DHS, Americans who own a firearm, go to church, believe in God, hate the spending that is going on (no matter who was President), has a Ron Paul sticker on their car, and who attended the Tax Day Tea Party and who is a member of a Tea Party organization are considered terrorists. Buy the guns while you still can! I wish I could but thanks to damn economy I'm broke!

areasontolaugh

I'm a Republican, Conservative, but I don't see anything here other than "you're wrong", "revolution", "tea party" and other vague declarations and threats. When someone has a good idea other than 'let's kill everyone and then it will be bliss' let me know.

Marvin P

GOD BLESS YOU PATRIOTS! DONT LET EM GET IN OUR HEADS GUYS WE CAN HOLD THEM DOWN!

Theres millions of us who vote, have guns legally, pay taxes, baby this country and will continue to do so. When the time comes well have an Armed Revolution which wont be a tough one easy! All we gotta do is get together. Salute!

SLO

"this bill is to remove the guns from everyone this is also a bill that will help the Oboma team get controll so that when they do force marshall law there will be smaller group resitance these *ssholes know fully what there doing , but what they have going is fooling the many stupid Americans that care not to pay attention to these criminals we have running our nation."

That's what I've been saying since the first intimation of the gun ban. If I had money, I would buy myself one...at least I've learned how to shoot!

gburg61

thats right you idiots ...let them know what you really think and when the time comes they will get the internet records and pick us up one at a time for making"dangerous threats" on the internet...STOP publicly stating your anger and get involved quietly

carcinoma2087

No one is buying the terrorism lie any more. This isn't about protection. its about our rights that are vanishing like dust the breeze. I think it may be wise to begin looking at how your voters feel before passing these sorts of laws on these sorts of issues. The is no way one earth any law could come back to win the popular opinion from the 95 to 5 it is at right now. i honestly dont know why i bother here, if the people opinion mattered to you, things would not be the way they are.

mike3912

Rotorhead43

This is just another step in establishing a "top Down", scoialist, statist society, where all control is in the hands of the Government. Thomas Paine where are you!! It's more than time to clean House (both sides), install term limits, start with "Common Sense".

They are systematically stripping us of all of our rights, and draining us of our livelyhoods. We and especially our children are becoming financially shackled for decades to come. DON'T TREAD ON ME!!! Actions have consequences...

BobbyD

Justme almost called it, by saying that our reps are "uneducated"; that's not exactly true. Many are just plain ignorant. Ignorant isn't the same as stupid or uneducated. I'm amazed by the number of people who don't understand their constitutional rights, much less firearms or all the hoops that the law abiding have to go thru just to buy one.

Roy J. Reissner

The only free people that will have guns, or get guns are going to be the bad people, not the law abiding ones. I was in Australia just after they took the guns away. Only the criminals had guns and they were not affaid to rob a home because the owners did not have guns to defend themselves.

FirstPatriot

The big picture is their are very powerful people pulling the strings of Washington. And the first time anybody says anything about these people your labled a antisemetic or a racist. Do a little research other than the main stream media or Alex Jones. You'll find the real truth for yourself.

FirstPatriot

Constitutional

Some of you need to actually read the Constitution:“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms,shall not be infringed.” Well regulated militia comes first guys: that doesn't mean "every nut job with a penchant for carrying a gun." Your unhealthy paranoia is getting old. This bill is an attempt to give the government one more weapon in the war on terror and is aimed at making us safer. That said, how about stating the obvious? It seems like an ineffective bill and a waste of time: terrorists won't be applying for permits.

You are being manipulated and used by the gun manufacturing business which profits from the sale of handguns and ammunition: a huge amount of which ends up unregistered and in the hands of street criminals-killing teenagers and innocents.

At least I can sleep well knowing that ya'll are armed to the teeth, paranoid, racist, angry, uneducated and have twitchy trigger fingers.

Constitutional

Roger David

The Supreme Court has recognized that the Second Amendment--notwithstanding its reference also to a "well-regulated Militia" (which at the time was basically the citizens)--protects an individual right. That right to protect self and family can be taken away for just cause (e.g., having committed a violent felony), but just cause does not include a politician's or appointee's whim that some folks who don't agree with views of the party in power are, for that reason, "dangerous." What's dangerous is the gradual erosion of various Bill of Rights freedoms which have been at the foundation of our nation.

Becky Lee

How can you folks even read the thing...I would like to make up my own mind about what the bill says;however, I cna't get past al the insert this and delete that. How can the average person read the bare bones of what is says?

NRA4EVER

Me, I'm glad that they are going to try to take guns and explosives away from those damn towel-heads and negroes. Those people are dangerous and want to destroy the American way of life.

I say that the only people who should be allowed to have guns in this country are AMERICANS...meaning those of us who can trace our lineage back to the Founding Fathers or those who were citizens at the time of the Signing.

CommonsenseESQ

Exactly which of our "Bill of Rights Freedoms" are being "gradually eroded?" Name me one. One of them which is being eroded in any way.

The right to own a gun is not and has never been absolute in this country. Even SCOTUS has stated that. For example you can't own certain automatic weapons, grenade launchers, etc. Anyone who claims otherwise is wrong.

This bill is an attempt by the government to give power to the executive branch under its appropriate policing powers. It will hopefully enable the executive to prevent the issuance of FEDERAL firearms licenses to person suspected of international or domestic terror activities. There will still be an appeal, which requires the government to meet the burden of proof.

You can still get a STATE firearms permit btw.

I agree with the comment supra (three above), your constant paranoia gets old real fast. The government isn't out to get you, rather it is charged with protecting ALL of us.

Mike in Baltimore

This bill would usurp the 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th amendments. How could anyone authorize the AG to revoke a persons 2nd amd. right without due process, simply at the whim of the DOJ, and not have to show probably cause?

This bill is obviously aimed at Law abiding citizens of this country. Criminals and terrorists are not concerned with permits. END OF STORY!!!!!!!

RealCommonSense

I say to you that the second amendment has been gradually eroded and submit your statement as proof: "you can't own a certain automatic weapon, grenade launcher, etc." The 2nd amendment hasn't been absolute since the War Revenue Act of 1919. So, if you care to do your homework, you will find that our second amendment rights have been gradually eroded over the last 90 or so years through various legislation such as War Revenue Act (1919); National Firearms Act (1934); Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (1968); Gun Control Act (1968); Firearms Owner's Protection Act (1986); Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (1993); Federal Assault Weapons Ban (1994) (now defunct); Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act (a.k.a Lautenberg Amendment) (1997) I'm still looking into Title 18 and 44 of the U.S. codes. You would think that with all these laws, our government would have this under control. YEAH, RIGHT!!!

RealCommonSense

DON'T we already have "policing agencies" for firearms, explosives and terrorism? What does the BATFE and the FBI do? Don't they chase illegal arms trade and investigate terrorism already? Oh wait, they only shoot the domestic terrorists like at Ruby Ridge and Waco. Maybe your think that the government knows best and that they will act with only the highest standards. Well, I don't share those views.

AND, why on earth would a person need to go through an appeals process when he hasn't been convicted of anything? I believe you are onto the start of trampling all over due process.

MAYBE your myopic view of our history can be clarified in the words of one of our forefathers: "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Ben Franklin. So while you will forego an essential liberty for a supposed and temporary safety, you will end up with neither safety nor liberty in the end.